Bubba's First Birthday & Thanksgiving

We reached a milestone this week, Bug, you turned one year old. I can't believe how fast the time has gone by! It feels like just yesterday you were a brand new little baby. We celebrated your special day with some homemade bran muffins (we are trying to keep you from consuming sugar laden things for as long as possible). Daddy and I sang to you and I helped you blow out your candle. We opened your birthday card and presents. You weren't really interested in any of it though, you just wanted to play with your favorite tube of chapstick and my strainers.

Thursday we celebrated Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving was kind of special in that it happened to be November 23rd, the day we brought you home from the hospital one year ago. This year, I am thankful for you! You make my days more joyful and bright!

We feasted with some of our friends and feast we did. I ate so much food my tummy hurt and I wasn't hungry for about three days. Lesson learned.

I'm grateful for this special holiday. It's a time to eat deliciously unhealthy food, count your blessings and spend time with friends and family.

Saturday my aunt and uncle were kind enough to watch you, so we could make a much needed trip to the temple. We have a lot of big decisions coming up and we felt that we needed some divine guidance. We haven't received any of the answers we are seeking, but we did walk away feeling at peace. I am grateful for the temple. I'm grateful for the spirit and peace that reside within the sacred walls. I'm grateful for the calming presence that can be found there. For the clarity that can come when we focus on God.

Sunday Daddy and I woke up sick. We bummed it at home. I slept almost the entire day. I am so glad Daddy had the energy to stay up with you. I don't know what we would have done otherwise. Here's hoping we feel better soon!

As for your development, you started saying, "Hi." It's so much fun to walk into your room in the morning and to have you greet us with a smile and a "hi."

You also discovered that our kitchen chairs make great walkers. You like to push the kitchen chair up and down the hallway, while walking behind it. You have also begun standing without holding onto anything. I think it is just a matter of time before you start walking.

Bubba At 1 Year

Well Bubba, you turn one today. In fact, in just a mere four minutes you will have entered this world exactly one year ago today. It is crazy to think that I was in labor with you a year ago, I can't even believe how quickly the time has flown by.

My heart is full when I think about how much love and joy you have brought into our home and lives. Our family wouldn't be complete without you.

You have such a sweet personality and disposition. Lately, you have been trying to "help" with everything. For instance, you like to take the garbage out of the garbage can and put it in the toilet. Hopefully, this particular habit doesn't last forever. I'm sure I will miss it though someday.

You are definitely a "Mommy's boy." Just yesterday, Daddy went to give me a hug before he left for work and you pushed him away. Often, you just want me to hold you, it's very sweet and it makes me feel loved.

We love you little Bug. Please stay sweet and don't grow up too quickly! We love you more than words can possibly describe.

Fishing In The Toilet

Well Bear Cub, you did it! You figured out how to flush the toilet! Not only did you figure out how to flush the toilet, you took the garbage out of the garbage can and put it in the toilet, and then you took the garbage out of the toilet and put it on the floor. Mommy caught you fishing in the toilet on more than one occasion, it was quite the mess to clean up. We've been trying really hard to keep the bathroom doors shut, but every once in awhile we accidentally leave them open and you can guess what happens when we do.

In other news, you learned how to wave. We just love watching you wave, it is the cutest thing! Much cuter than toilet garbage on the floor.

Hi Mom.

I'm just reading my favorite book.

We love you Bug, toilet garbage and all!

Cousin Time

The week started off taking you in to get part one of your flu shot, Bubba. You did surprisingly well! You cried for a moment and that was it. We were in and out of the doctors office lickity split.

This is currently your favorite book- I Love You Through & Through.

Your Aunt Sadie, Aunt Megan and cousin Hazel came down to visit us this weekend. Hazel while three weeks younger than you, is a lot bigger than you. She has been walking for about a month now and she took you down several times. You cried a lot. Then there were moments where the two of you would play with each other or steal each other's binkies-- it was fun to watch!

We went on a walk with the extended family along the river in Eugene, it was a beautiful fall day and it was so nice to be outside. We grabbed some lunch and did a little thrift shopping while they were here. It's nice to have family come and visit us once in awhile.

As far as development goes, you took your first "real" bath. By real bath I mean, not in your baby bath tub, but in the big tub and you enjoyed it. I had tried giving you baths in the big tub before and you hated it and screamed the whole time. I'm counting this as a milestone.

Bubba's 1st Halloween

The week started off with a trip to the doctor's office, Bubba. You were coughing and sounded seal like, we thought you might have croup and were wanted to see if that ear infection had finally cleared up. As we were driving to the doctor's office you fell asleep in the car. You were less than thrilled to wake up at the doctor's office.

Not sure about this pony riding thing.

They had us strip you down so they could see how much you weighed. While you were on the scale you decided it would be fun to pee. You didn't pee just once, you peed three times all over the nurse, the scale and yourself. You were quite upset at this point.

I asked the nurse how often see gets peed on and she said she had never been peed on before and she has two boys at home. I guess there is a first for everything.

The doctor who saw you was very kind. She let us know that your ear infection had cleared up, it only took a month and two rounds of antibiotics. And she put us on croup watch. We lucked out and your cold didn't turn into croup.

You are such a curious little boy.

Daddy also got his braces off. We are so happy for him! His teeth look a lot better. We went out to lunch to celebrate and you found the fries on Daddy's plate. I think you love fries as much as I do.

Doesn't he look nice with straight teeth?

We celebrated your first Halloween and celebrate we did. We started the day off with a trip to the library for story time. It was so fun to see all of the little kids and babies dressed up for Halloween.

Then we headed to Daddy's work to go trick-or-treating. You We scored on the candy! They handed out the good stuff. We enjoyed watching you grab a piece of candy and then put it back in the bowl before grabbing a new piece of candy at the next desk (you liked to trade your candies). Everyone thought you were the cutest little pumpkin!

We spent that evening with friends. We ate food and then hit up the neighborhood for some more candy. Don't worry, we didn't keep all the candy we got, we gave a good portion of it away.

Overall, I'd say it was a pretty good week! We are so incredibly blessed to have you in our lives little one. You sure make one cute little pumpkin!

And we have daffodils in November...